Police appeal for witnesses after assault left Sean Mead with a broken leg, a broken elbow and a broken cheekbone and eyesocket

A teenager was left with multiple broken bones after a brutal and unprovoked assault by two crowbar wielding attackers.

Sean Mead, 17, suffered a broken leg, a broken elbow and a broken cheekbone and eyesocket in the sustained assault in Middlesbrough.

The teen was making his way home from a friend’s house where he had spent the night playing Xbox games when he was attacked at about 2.20am on Saturday.

He was walking along Thornfield Grove in Linthorpe, between Cambridge Road and Green Lane, when two males approached him from behind.

The student told the Gazette: “I was just walking home and I had one ear phone in and one out like I always do, just in case I am crossing a road or anything, and I heard someone running behind me.

“I turned and said ‘are you all right lads?’ and as I said that one of them hit me. I turned to protect myself and one hit me over the leg with a crowbar.

“I went into shock at that point but he hit me again over the head - I can’t remember much after that but I must have put my hands up to defend myself and they’ve hit my elbow.”

Despite his injuries - including a broken leg - he managed to stay on his feet throughout and ran home and bang on his front door which was answered by his 48-year-old dad.

Dad Tony said: “When I opened the door he was collapsed on the step with blood everywhere - there was a copious amount of blood.

“Thankfully he didn’t go to the ground when he was hit. The adrenaline has kicked in and the ‘fight of flight’.”

He added: “The ambulance was there very, very quickly and they were superb as always and the police have been really good too.”

His son added: “I don’t think it has sunk in yet. I think it will in a few days. It’s definitely frightening but I’m glad it’s happened to me rather than anyone else. I was lucky that I wasn’t too far from home.

“I’ve walked the same route thousands of times but this has scared me a bit.”

The two attackers are described as Asian with one wearing a red top.

Police would like to hear from any witnesses, particularly the driver of a car who stopped to offer assistance at the time.

Anyone with information should call DC Gerry Ironside of Middlesbrough CID on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.